Advanced Manufacturing

U.S. Department of Labor funding of $5,935,402 in November 2005 created ADTEC college capacity, including curriculum development and the acquisition of faculty and equipment, to create a career pathway in advanced manufacturing and to provide training and education to existing and emerging manufacturing industries in the Arkansas Delta region. As a result, four regional skills centers exist, which support manufacturing training specialization.

Plastics Manufacturing Technology, East Arkansas Community College, Forrest City

CNC Machining, ASU Mid-South, West Memphis

Welding Technology, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Helena

An additional $250,000 in funding was provided by the Delta Regional Authority in February 2006 to fund training equipment for the automotive manufacturing industry in the Arkansas Delta and $20,000 by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education in October 2005 to fund curriculum development for the high school component of the career pathway.

Through $2,500,000 in U.S. Department of Labor TAACCCT funding in October 2012, industry certifications will be aligned with career pathway credential points in manufacturing and other designated technical programs.

ADTEC has been named a Top 10 national finalist for the prestigious Bellwether Legacy Award, to be presented by the Community College Futures Assembly in January 2014.